The Best Dishes to Eat While in China

If you’re heading to China for your myTEFL job placement, your taste buds are in for a wild ride. China isn’t just one place with one type of food. It’s a whole continent’s worth of flavors packed into one country. From spicy Sichuan dishes to mouthwatering Cantonese dim sum, the food scene here is just as diverse as the culture. So while you’re lesson planning, making connections with students, and adjusting to your new life abroad, don’t sleep on the chance to experience the country through its local dishes.

Here’s your go-to guide for the best eats while living and teaching in China. Some are comfort food classics, some are regional legends, and all of them are worth tracking down.

1. Xiǎolóngbāo (Soup Dumplings)
Where: Shanghai and surrounding regions

Think of these as dumplings with a surprise inside. Xiaolongbao are delicate steamed buns filled with minced pork and a rich broth that bursts in your mouth the moment you bite into them. Pro tip: don’t pop the whole thing in your mouth unless you’re ready to deal with lava-level soup. Instead, nibble the side, slurp the broth, and then eat the rest.

If you’re placed in Shanghai or Jiangsu, this will be a street food staple. Cheap, comforting, and strangely addictive.

Tip- check out Jia Jia Tang Bao for the most delicious dumplings ever!

2. Mápó Dòufu (Mapo Tofu)
Where: Sichuan Province

Sichuan cuisine is famous for its mala flavor. That’s the magical combo of spicy and numbing that comes from Sichuan peppercorns and chili oil. Mapo tofu is tofu in a fiery, oily sauce with ground pork and green onions. It’s usually served over rice and is perfect for when you need something hot and bold after a long day of teaching.

Even if you’re not placed in Sichuan, this dish shows up on menus all over China. Just make sure to ask about spice levels if you’re not ready for full heat.

3. Běijīng Kǎoyā (Peking Duck)
Where: Beijing

Peking duck is iconic for a reason. This isn’t your average roast duck. It’s slow roasted until the skin turns crispy and golden, then sliced thin and served with pancakes, hoisin sauce, and slivers of cucumber and scallions. You wrap it up like a little taco and go to town.

It’s more of a sit-down, group meal, so it’s great for bonding with new colleagues or celebrating milestones with fellow teachers. If you’re placed in Beijing, try to find a spot that’s been around for decades. Those are usually the goldmines.

4. Lánzhōu Niúròu Miàn (Lanzhou Beef Noodles)
Where: Gansu Province, but found nationwide

This hand-pulled noodle soup is a favorite among students and workers alike. It features thin slices of beef, bright chili oil, fresh coriander, and a savory broth poured over springy wheat noodles. Every bowl is basically art. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a chef stretching and slapping the noodles by hand right in front of you.

Lanzhou beef noodles are affordable, filling, and super customizable. Want it extra spicy? Go for it. No coriander? They’ve got you. This one is a reliable go-to no matter where you’re based.

5. Jī Dàn Bǐng (Egg Pancake)
Where: Street stalls across China, especially mornings

If breakfast is your thing, jidan bing will be your new best friend. It’s kind of like a savory Chinese crêpe filled with egg, scallions, crispy wonton, chili sauce, and sometimes sausage or tofu. Folded up and wrapped in paper, it’s made to eat on the go.

You’ll find this at local street stalls in the morning before school starts. It’s cheap, fast, and surprisingly delicious. Plus, it’s the kind of breakfast that fuels you through a morning of phonics and classroom games.

6. Hot Pot (Huǒguō)
Where: Everywhere, with regional styles

Hot pot isn’t a dish, it’s an experience. You and your friends sit around a bubbling pot of broth and dip in raw meat, veggies, tofu, and noodles. Sichuan hot pot is famously spicy, while places like Yunnan or Beijing offer more mild or mushroom-heavy versions.

It’s a top-tier social meal and a great way to get to know locals or other expats. Whether you’re using the classic red chili broth or a lighter herbal one, hot pot nights are always a vibe.

Tip- check out Haidilao hotpot for some world famous noms!

7. Dàn Tà (Egg Tart)
Where: Cantonese regions like Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau

For something sweet, the humble egg tart is wildly underrated. A flaky, buttery crust filled with silky custard, these little pastries are usually eaten warm and fresh from the bakery. Originally inspired by Portuguese pastéis de nata, the Chinese version has taken on a life of its own.

You’ll spot them in bakeries, dim sum restaurants, and sometimes even convenience stores. They’re the kind of snack you grab “just one of” and suddenly you’ve eaten five.

Final Thoughts: Eat Local, Stay Curious

One of the best parts of teaching abroad is diving headfirst into daily life and food is a huge part of that. Don’t be afraid to try the unfamiliar, ask locals for recommendations, or just follow the long line at the street cart. China’s food culture is deep, regional, and rich with history. Whether you’re in a coastal city, rural town, or somewhere in between, there’s always something delicious waiting around the corner.

You didn’t come all this way to eat instant noodles. So take the chopsticks, dig in, and make food part of your myTEFL adventure.

The post The Best Dishes to Eat While in China appeared first on myTEFL.